Renowned neuroscientist Robert H. Miller named vice president for research

October 11, 2011

Provost W.A. “Bud” Baeslack III announced today that he has named Robert H. Miller Case Western Reserve’s vice president for research. Miller, whose ties to the university date back to 1981, has served as vice dean for research at the School of Medicine since 2007.

“Bob Miller is a remarkable researcher in his own right, and also has proved an extraordinarily effective administrator,” Baeslack said. “We believe he will provide outstanding strategic direction and support for research endeavors all across the campus.”

Miller has served as the Allen C. Holmes Professor of Neurological Diseases and the director of the Center for Translational Neuroscience since 2005. He also is a founding member of the Myelin Repair Foundation, an innovative nonprofit organization that seeks to accelerate the development of treatments for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and related diseases. In addition, Miller has extensive experience with companies dedicated to developing viable therapeutics for MS, as well as broad national service with boards of federal research agencies, individual universities and nonprofit medical research organizations.

“After nearly three decades at Case Western Reserve, I know well the strengths and opportunities of our research programs,” Miller said. “Between that experience and my national activities, I feel well-prepared and eager to advance our activities across the university.”

Baeslack said Miller emerged as the top choice for the universitywide role after a comprehensive search process that involved several internal candidates. Professor Mark Chance chaired a campuswide search committee, and finalists also interviewed with school and college deans for research and other administrators.

“I am grateful to everyone who expressed interest in this key position,” Baeslack said, “as well as those who dedicated much time and thought to assessing applicants.”

The provost said he has asked the new vice president to focus on three primary priorities:

Increase interdisciplinary and trans-institutional collaborations in research and creative endeavors;

Grow sponsored research and enhance and improve technology transfer initiatives; and

Improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the activities of the Office of Research Administration.

Miller has particular insight regarding recent cross-disciplinary efforts at Case Western Reserve. In 2007-08 he served on the university’s lead committee for developing the strategic plan, Forward Thinking, and also co-chaired the group that developed the School of Medicine’s strategic plan. Since then, he has played an ongoing role in the provost’s leadership of academic alliance investments, including awards of more than $4 million of university grants for major and pilot initiatives.

“I look forward to building upon the lessons I have learned through the strategic planning and alliance investment processes,” Miller said. “We have extraordinarily talented faculty, and I look forward to working with them all to advance the university’s achievements and impact.”